Hurricane Idalia

Aug. 30, 2023

DHEC is closely monitoring Hurricane Idalia. We are working with the Governor’s Office, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, and other state agencies in accordance with the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and the South Carolina Hurricane Plan.

DHEC staff continue to actively prepare for any public health or environmental needs across the state due to the storm. For important information about steps you can take at home to prepare for severe weather, please visit our hurricane preparedness page and visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) website.

DHEC is here to help our state's residents. You can use these hotlines for DHEC specific needs.

Floodwater are nothing to play with or to take for granted. Exercise caution. All too often, danger lurks within and beneath floodwater and standing water. DHEC urges everyone not to use area streams, rivers or the ocean for drinking, bathing, or swimming due to the possibility of bacteria, wastewater or other contaminants. Avoid wading through standing water due to the possibility of sharp objects, power lines or other hazardous debris that might be under the surface.

No matter how harmless it might appear, avoid driving, wading or walking in floodwater. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Illnesses caused by bacteria in food or water can be among the greatest problems caused by a hurricane or flood. Both loss of power and flooding pose a threat to your water and food supplies. In high water and flooding, food, water and utensils can be contaminated with bacteria, sewage and/or chemicals. In a power outage, frozen and refrigerated foods can be contaminated with bacteria that will grow once the temperature of the food gets above 40°F. All of this can seriously affect the health of you and your family. To reduce the risk of contamination we offer these tips.

DHEC oversees the coordination of Medical Needs Shelters around the state. These are shelters that provide lodging for people whose medical conditions exceed the capabilities of the general population shelters but are not severe enough to require a hospital stay. DHEC is prepared to provide Medical Needs Shelter assistance should it be needed due to impacts from Hurricane Idalia.

General Population Shelters are managed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), SCEMD and local governments. Please contact your local government for information about General Population Shelters in your area.

DHEC follows the closings and delays of county offices. For example, if Beaufort County offices are closed, DHEC health clinics and offices in Beaufort County also will be closed. The latest information on delays and closures can be found at scemd.org/closings or on local news stations.

Wells should be inspected after the storm for damage and any plug or covering on casing vent should be removed. If your private well was flooded and you have questions concerning testing, call the Private Well Hotline at 888-761-5989.

DHEC encourages coastal residents affected by Hurricane Ian to report damage to beachfront structures, including seawalls, revetments and dune walkovers using SC MyCoast. Residents using SC MyCoast’s Storm Witness report for the first time will need to register before submitting a report. Registration is quick, easy and free. To report through SC MyCoast, go to mycoast.org/sc.

Stay tuned to your local news channels, visit EMD’s website at scemd.org, download EMD’s free mobile app, and get the latest information from DHEC by following us on Twitter and Facebook.